Abstract 2122: The dual BRM/BRG1 (SMARCA2/4) inhibitor FHD-286 induces differentiation in preclinical models of AML
Authors: Mike Collins, Astrid Thomsen, Ashley Gartin, Gabriel J. Sandoval, Ammar Adam, Sarah Reilly, Laure Delestre, Virginie Penard-Lacronique, Warren Fiskus, Kapil Bhalla, Stephane de Botton, Sam Agresta, Jessica Piel, Murphy Hentemann
Journal: Cancer Research (2023)

Abstract The BRG1/BRM-associated factors (BAF) complex (also known as mSWI/SNF) is a critical regulator of the chromatin landscape of the genome. By controlling chromatin accessibility, BAF regulates lineage-specific transcriptional programs, including those important for AML blast cell growth and survival. FHD-286 is a highly potent inhibitor of the BAF catalytic subunits BRM and BRG1 (SMARCA2/4), which demonstrates strong tumor growth inhibition in several AML CDX and PDX models. FHD-286 is being developed for the treatment of relapsed/refractory AML and MDS (see Foghorn website for current status).Investigation of FHD-286 in a broad panel of AML cell lines showed that BAF inhibition affects hematopoietic transcriptional programs important for blast cell self-renewal and identity, agnostic of mutational background. Similarly, FHD-286 demonstrated broad efficacy in ex vivo treatment of AML patient-derived samples from diverse genetic backgrounds, including those with difficult to treat mutational profiles, including mtNPM1, FLT3 ITD, and Inv(3) with EVI1 overexpression. Interestingly, while higher concentrations (≥90 nM) of FHD-286 predominantly induced cytoreduction, lower concentrations (≤30 nM) predominantly led to differentiation-like responses. To investigate this differentiation effect, we performed immunophenotyping of cell lines and primary AML samples following prolonged treatment with FHD-286. Extended treatment (7+ days) with relevant concentrations (5-20 nM) of FHD-286 led to time- and dose-dependent upregulation of the myeloid differentiation marker CD11b, and acquisition of monocyte/metamyelocyte morphology. CD11b+ cells expressed lower levels of the hematopoietic transcription factor PU.1, as well as proliferation and survival proteins Ki67, Myc and BCL2. Additionally, primary patient samples showed a loss of CD34 positivity in blasts and GMP-like cells after 7 days of ex vivo treatment, indicating a decrease in stemness in these populations. Finally, upregulation of CD11b coincided with decreased BRG1 protein, suggesting that immature blasts are characterized by high levels of BRG1. These results suggest that BAF functions to drive transcriptional programs required to maintain AML cells in an undifferentiated state, and that FHD-286 may inhibit AML cell growth by overcoming this differentiation block. Expanding on these findings, we have also demonstrated synergistic activity with multiple combination partners, including cytarabine and decitabine, in vitro. Elaboration of this in both CDX and PDX in vivo models also shows significant survival benefit in difficult to treat mutational backgrounds. Taken together, these findings suggest that FHD-286 is able to target blast progenitor populations that are heavily BRM/BRG1-dependent, and that combination with standard of care agents can achieve profound, mutationally agnostic antitumor activity in AML. Citation Format: Mike Collins, Astrid Thomsen, Ashley Gartin, Gabriel J. Sandoval, Ammar Adam, Sarah Reilly, Laure Delestre, Virginie Penard-Lacronique, Warren Fiskus, Kapil Bhalla, Stephane de Botton, Sam Agresta, Jessica Piel, Murphy Hentemann. The dual BRM/BRG1 (SMARCA2/4) inhibitor FHD-286 induces differentiation in preclinical models of AML [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 2122.